Atheist Alliance International obtains UN Special consultative status

Atheist
Alliance International (AAI) has been accorded Special consultative
status by the United Nations, enabling the organization to better serve
the need of the world’s growing non-religious population and defend the
interests of atheists and non-believers who are facing persecution from
governments.

“Atheists
face discrimination in many countries of world – including threats of
imprisonment and even death – and often at the hands of their own
governments,“ said AAI president Stuart Bechman. “With our new status we
will be better able to provide these people with a voice in the
international community.”

The
UN approved AAI’s new status at its July 2013 Substantive Session
following the recommendation of the UN Committee on Non-Governmental
Organizations. AAI is now able to actively engage with the UN’s Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC) and its subsidiaries, as well as with the
United Nations Secretariat, and affiliated programmes, funds and
agencies.

AAI
will be able to have official representatives to the UN Headquarters in
New York and its Geneva and Vienna offices. AAI representatives will be
able to register for and participate in events, conferences and
activities of the UN. The organization may now also designate
representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of ECOSOC and its
subsidiary bodies, the General Assembly, Human Rights Council and other
UN intergovernmental decision-making bodies.

“AAI
looks forward to working closely with allied organizations, including
the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the British
Humanist Association (BHA),” said Bechman. “We also expect to coordinate
with secular and religious groups in areas of mutual interest. All too
often, states employ religious justifications for abuse of citizens –
including journalists and artists, members of minority sects, women and
people of different sexual orientations. We plan to work toward the
benefits of human rights for all, be they atheist or religious.”

About AAI

Atheist
Alliance International (AAI) is a global alliance of
atheist/freethought groups and individuals, committed to educating its
members and the public about atheism, secularism and related issues.

Atheist
Alliance International's vision is a secular world where public policy,
scientific inquiry and education are not influenced by religious
beliefs, but based upon sound reasoning, rationality and evidence.
Atheist Alliance International's mission is to challenge and confront
religious faith, to strengthen global atheism by promoting the growth
and interaction of atheist/freethought organisations around the world
and to undertake international educational and advocacy projects.